Rotating Drum Push Broom

ABSTRACT

A rotating drum push broom has a housing, an interior compartment, a pair of of wheel hubs, an axle, a drum brush, and a pair of motion transfer assemblies. The interior compartment traverses into a base surface of the housing and the pair of wheel hubs are mounted onto opposite sides of the housing. The axle traverses through the housing and the interior compartment and the wheel hubs are terminally connected to the axle. Drum brush is rotatably mounted around the axle. The motion transfer assemblies is a set of actuators that force the drum brush to rotate in a direction that is opposite to the wheel&#39;s direction of rotation.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 63/039,625 filed on Jun. 16, 2020.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cleaning devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a push broom with a gear driven brush to push debris along the direction the push broom is being pushed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is frequently labor intensive and time consuming to clean areas of debris that is littered on the ground. Brooms, mops, and vacuums are frequently employed to perform such tasks. However, these tools require a user to perform repetitive plunging or sweeping motions. This can lead to fatigue and forces the user to be precise in their execution of cleaning operations.

The present invention, the rotating drum push broom, addresses these deficiencies by providing a gear-driven drum brush that pushes debris in front of the broom along the direction that the user is moving. This gear-driven drum brush prevents the user from performing repetitive plunging or sweeping motions. Additionally, the rapid rotation of the drum brush facilitates moving a large amount of debris along the direction the user is moving.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a left-side view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a right-side view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded right perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded left perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 10 view showing the motion transfer assembly and a wheel hub. In this view, bold arrows show the rotation of the wheel hub and hub gear inducing a rotation of the motion transfer gear that then induces a rotation of the brush gear that is in the opposite direction.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the brush gear used in the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 11, the present invention, the rotating drum push broom, is a cleaning apparatus that enables a user to sweep large areas without requiring the repetitive plunging or swinging motions. Specifically, the present invention makes use of a drum brush that is coupled to a set of wheels, such that the drum brush is rotated to push dirt forward while the user rolls the present invention across an area being cleaned. To achieve the above-described functionality, the present invention comprises a housing 1, an interior compartment 2, a plurality of wheel hubs 3, an axle 4, a drum brush 5, a handle 6 and a plurality of motion transfer assemblies 7. The housing 1 forms the overall structural foundation of the present invention and acts as the framework onto which the remaining components are mounted. The interior compartment 2 normally traverses into a base surface of the housing 1. Accordingly, the interior compartment 2 forms a receptacle that is used to protect the interior components of the present invention. Each of the plurality of wheel hubs 3 serves a dual function and enables the user to roll the present invention around the area being cleaned while providing the actuating force required to rotate the drum brush 5. As such, a first wheel hub 31 is mounted adjacent to the housing 1 and a second wheel hub 32 is mounted adjacent to the housing 1, opposite to the first wheel hub 31. Both the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are from the plurality of wheel hubs 3. Accordingly, the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are positioned on opposite ends of the housing 1 to enable the present invention to be rolled across the area being cleaned. The axle 4 traverses through the housing 1 and the interior compartment 2. Additionally, the axle 4 is connected in between the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 so that the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 share an axis of rotation 24 and are synchronously rotated. Preferably, the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are identically constructed and are mounted to the housing 1 by identical motion transfer assemblies 7.

The drum brush 5 is a tubular member with laterally mounted bristles that is rotatably mounted around the axle 4. As a result, the drum brush 5 shares an axis of rotation 24 with the plurality of wheel hubs 3. However, the drum brush 5 is not rotatably coupled to the axle 4 so that the drum brush 5 is able to rotate independently of the axle 4. The plurality of motion transfer assemblies 7 are gears and actuators that force the drum brush 5 to rotate in response to the plurality of wheel hubs 3 being rotated. Specifically, each of the plurality of motion transfer assemblies 7 is operatively coupled in between a corresponding wheel hub 23 and the drum brush 5. This coupling enables rotation of the corresponding wheel hub 23 in one direction to induce rotation of the drum brush 5 an opposite direction. consequently, as the user rolls the present invention forward the drum brush 5 rotates in the opposite direction of the wheels so that any debris in the area being cleaned is constantly pushed ahead of the present invention, in the direction the user is traveling. The handle 6 is mounted adjacent to the housing 1 and enables the user to easily maneuver and manipulate the present invention. In some embodiments the handle 6 is an elongated shaft.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the present invention further comprises a mounting hole 11 that longitudinally traverses through the housing 1, the interior compartment 2, and the drum brush 5. Additionally, the axle 4 is engaged through the mounting hole 11 so that an axis of rotation 24 for the plurality of wheel hubs 3 is colinear with an axis of rotation 52 for the drum brush 5. Thus, the axle 4 retains the plurality of wheel hubs 3 and the drum brush 5 in a desired position relative to each other.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, the motion transfer system enables the rotation of the plurality of wheel hubs 3 to be transferred to the drum brush 5. To achieve this functionality, each of the plurality of wheel hubs 3 comprises a wheel body 311 and a hub receptacle 312. Additionally, each of the plurality of the motion transfer assemblies 7 comprises a hub gear 711, a brush gear 713, and a motion transfer gear 712. The wheel body 311 contains the functional components of the wheel including the rim and the tire. The hub receptacle 312 normally traverses into the wheel body 311 so that the wheel hub acts as a cover that protects the motion transfer assembly from becoming damaged by bumping into objects in the area being cleaned. The wheel body 311 is terminally connected to the axle 4. As a result, each of the plurality of wheel hubs 3 is forced to rotate synchronously. Additionally, the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 are positioned external to the interior compartment 2. The hub gear 711 is integrated within and around the hub receptacle 312 of the corresponding wheel hub 23. As a result, rotating the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32 rotates the hub gear 711 contained within the hub receptacle 312 of each wheel hub around the axle 4. The brush gear 713 is terminally connected to the drum brush 5 so that rotation of the brush gear 713 rotates the drum brush 5 around the axle 4. Preferably, the present invention comprises a pair of brush gears 713 where a first brush gear 713 is connected to a first end of the drum brush 5 and a second brush gear 713 is connected to a second end of the drum brush 5. The motion transfer gear 712 is positioned in between the wheel body 311 and the housing 1 and is mechanically engaged in between the hub gear 711 and the brush gear 713. Consequently, the motion transfer gear 712 compels the brush gear 713 to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation of the hub gear 711. Thus, causing the drum brush 5 to rotate in a direction opposite to the rotation of the first wheel hub 31 and the second wheel hub 32. In some embodiments a motor is integrated into the motion transfer assembly. In these embodiments, the motor is used to rotate the drum brush 5 when an appropriate electrical command is issued by the user. In supplemental embodiments, the motor provides driving force that rotates the plurality of wheel hubs 3, propelling the present invention around the area being cleaned.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the present invention further comprises a plurality of mounting pegs 13. The motion transfer gear 712 from each of the plurality of motion transfer assemblies 7 is rotatably mounted onto a corresponding peg 131 from the plurality of mounting pegs 13. Accordingly, the mounting peg 13 prevents linear displacement of the motion transfer gear 712 while permitting angular displacement. Preferably the plurality of mounting pegs 13 comprises a first mounting peg 13 and a second peg. The motion transfer gear 712 coupled to the first wheel hub 31 is rotatably mounted to the first mounting peg 13. Similarly, the motion transfer gear 712 coupled to the second wheel hub 32 is rotatably mounted to the first mounting peg 13.

Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, the present invention is designed to enable the drum brush 5 to be removed and replaced whenever the bristles are worn out. To achieve this functionality, the present invention further comprises a plurality of connector receptacles 51. Additionally, the brush gear 713 comprises a sprocket 7131, a gear axle 7132 and a connector prong 7131. The mounting hole 11 longitudinally traverses through the housing 1, the interior compartment 2, the brush gear 713, and the drum brush 5 so that the axle 4 traverses through a central axis of the brush gear 713. The sprocket 7131 is terminally connected to the gear axle 7132 and the connector prong 7131 is terminally connected to the gear axle 7132, opposite to the sprocket 7131. Thus configured, the sprocket 7131 is positioned external to the interior compartment 2 and is able to mechanically engage the motion transfer gear 712. Additionally, the connector prong 7131 is able to be detachably coupled to a corresponding end of the drum brush 5. The gear axle 7132 acts as a bushing that enables the brush gear 713 to rotate freely about the axle 4. Each of the plurality of connector receptacles 51 terminally traverses into the drum brush 5 so that the first end and the second end of the drum brush 5 can be detachably coupled to the brush gear 713. Specifically, each connector prong 7131 from the plurality of motion transfer assemblies 7 engages into a corresponding receptacle 511 from the plurality of connector receptacles 51. Consequently, the user is able to remove the drum brush 5 by disengaging the connector prongs 7131 from the connector receptacles 51.

Referring to FIG. 8, the present invention further comprises a cover 8 that is mounted adjacent to the housing 1 and is positioned opposite to the interior compartment 2 across the housing 1. Accordingly, the cover 8 protects the housing 1 from damage due to hazards in the area being cleaned.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotating drum push broom comprising: a housing; an interior compartment; a plurality of wheel hubs; an axle; a drum brush; a handle; a plurality of motion transfer assemblies; the interior compartment normally traversing into the housing; a first wheel hub being mounted adjacent to the housing, wherein the first wheel hub is from the plurality of wheel hubs; a second wheel hub being mounted adjacent to the housing, opposite to the first wheel hub, wherein the second wheel hub is from the plurality of wheel hubs; the axle traversing through the housing and the interior compartment; the axle being connected in between the first wheel hub and the second wheel hub; the drum brush being rotatably mounted around the axle; and each of the plurality of motion transfer assemblies being operatively coupled in between a corresponding wheel hub and the drum brush, wherein rotation of the corresponding wheel hub in one direction induces rotation of the drum brush an opposite direction; the handle being mounted adjacent to the housing.
 2. The rotating drum push broom as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a mounting hole; the mounting hole longitudinally traversing through the housing, the interior compartment, and the drum brush; and the axle be engaged though the mounting hole.
 3. The rotating drum push broom as claimed in claim 1 comprising: each of the plurality of wheel hubs comprising a wheel body and a hub receptacle; each of the plurality of the motion transfer assemblies comprising a hub gear, a brush gear, and a motion transfer gear; the hub receptacle normally traversing into the wheel body; the wheel body being terminally connected to the axle; the hub gear being integrated within and around the wheel receptacle of the corresponding wheel hub; the brush gear being terminally connected to the drum brush; the motion transfer gear being rotatably mounted onto the housing; the motion transfer gear being positioned in between the wheel body and the housing; and the motion transfer gear being mechanically engaged in between the hub gear and the brush gear.
 4. The rotating drum push broom as claimed in claim 3 comprising: a plurality of mounting pegs; and the motion transfer gear from each of the plurality of motion transfer assemblies being rotatably mounted onto a corresponding peg from the plurality of mounting pegs.
 5. The rotating drum push broom as claimed in claim 3 comprising: a mounting hole; a plurality of connector receptacles; the brush gear comprising a sprocket, a gear axle and a connector prong; the mounting hole longitudinally traversing through the housing, the interior compartment, the brush gear, and the drum brush; the sprocket being terminally connected to the gear axle; the connector prong being terminally connected to the gear axle, opposite to the sprocket; each of the plurality of connector receptacles terminally traversing into the drum brush; and each connector prong from the plurality of motion transfer assemblies being engaged into a corresponding receptacle from the plurality of connector receptacles.
 6. The rotating drum push broom as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a cover; the cover being mounted adjacent to the housing; and the cover being positioned opposite to the interior compartment, across the housing.
 7. The rotating drum push broom as claimed in claim 1 wherein an axis of rotation for the plurality of wheel hubs being colinear with an axis of rotation for the drum brush. 